Bloomberg reported that shipments of rolled aluminum products by Japanese fabricators to domestic and overseas markets decreased at a slower pace in March, supported by demand from beverage can makers.

The Japan Aluminium Association said that volume fell 1.5% to 171,163 tonnes last month from a year earlier. The pace of decline slowed from February’s 8.2% rate.

The decrease was led by the auto sector as vehicle sales in Japan declined 11.3% in March because of an end to subsidy payments by the government to buyers of fuel efficient models. The weakness was partially offset by 4.9% growth in demand for flat rolled products from beverage can makers.

The association expects shipments for the year through March will expand 3.2% to 2.02 million tonnes the highest level in three years, as a weak yen boosts exports, while Japan’s fiscal and monetary stimulus boosts demand from builders.